INVITE

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Week of March 12, 2017

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United Methodist

First Church

NEW TO FIRST CHURCH? - Steps to find your way: Step 1) MEET FIRST CHURCH: Sunday, March 19th right after worship Join one of our pastors for a few minutes getting to know First Church and learning about the ministries most relevant for you. Children are welcome! After 8:00 a.m. service, First Evangelical Center—Room 206 After 9:30 a.m. service, First Evangelical Center—Room 206 After 11:00 a.m. service, Christian Life Center—back of Stryker Hall After 11:00 a.m. service, North Campus—in the lounge Step 2) A DISCIPLE’S PATH 6 week group

This membership group will guide you onto a path of growing discipleship and connection at First Church. Led by Pastor D.G. Giordano, this next membership group will start in the Fall of 2017 – watch for more details.

PRAYER WALKS AT THE NORTH CAMPUS Hitting the streets with prayer to soften up the ground for our outreach; then trusting God for the harvest. Join in one or all three times of prayer walking the neighborhood around the North Campus during First Night on three Wednesdays: March 15th, 22nd, and 29th. Meet in the lobby at the North Campus from 6:00-6:15 p.m. will be gathering and talking about prayer, then we’ll walk together and pray in the neighborhood from 6:15 - 6:45 p.m. We’ll pray inside if it rains.

FELLOWSHIP HALL RENOVATIONS The Fellowship Hall in the basement of the First Evangelical Center began getting a facelift with some needed updates to the walls and floors. Most groups will not be disrupted by this work other than the unsightliness of the demolition and refurb period. Thanks for your patience with this temporary inconvenience as we look forward to a permanent improvement. These updates are made possible by your gifts to the Vision Initiative, as well as the generous giving of folks committed to helping First Church live out its vision to the fullest degree.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

8:00 am—Traditional

604 Market St.

9:30 am—Blended

604 Market St.

11:00 am—Contemporary

601 Market St.

11:00 am—Contemporary

1157 Market St.

(live streamed message)

4:30 pm—Celebrate Recovery

604 Market St.

WEDNESDAY WORSHIP

5:00 pm—601 Market St.

Night meal, fellowship,

music, brief message,

small groups (kids, youth & adults)

First Church 604 Market St.

Williamsport, PA 17701

570-322-3572

office@firstchurch.cc

Check us out at

www.firstchurch.cc

Donate

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

We are very pleased to announce that Katie Stepnowski, a current member of our Tech Staff, will become our new Technical Director after graduating from Lycoming College in May. We conducted a 3-month national search, interviewed multiple candidates, and found that the "best fit" for our ministry is one of our "home grown" leaders. Katie has served on the tech team since she started attending Lycoming College and has been our webmaster since September 2016. She is a digital communications major with outstanding video skills. She understands the vision DNA at First Church and has a strong com-mitment to Christ and a spirit of humility. Katie will be assisted by Xavier Francis, one of our former Technical Directors, who will serve as our Technical Consultant. Xavier has years of experience and a broad range of skills. He will be consulted primarily for training, trouble-shooting, and maintenance of our technical infrastructure. Please welcome Katie to this new role and keep her in your prayers. This is a very significant responsibility. Many people have been praying for God's guidance and provision for the right person to fill this role. We thank God for answering these prayers and are excited for the gifts that Katie brings - and the gift that she is.

TEACH

STEPHEN MINISTRY MOMENT Words from a gentleman who received care from a Stephen Minister: “My Stephen Minister walked with me through a really dark part of my life, pointing me to the truth and love that is in Christ. I thank the Lord for my Stephen Minister who did not try to solve all my problems but lovingly, as a Christian brother, walked along with me through this valley in my life. If you are dealing with some type of crisis or difficulty in life, I encourage you to meet with a Stephen Minister. You won’t regret it!” If you are interested in receiving confidential, one-on-one Christian care from a Stephen Minister, please contact Janet Hessert (570-337-5029), Ellen Montis (570-419-2655) or talk with one of the pastors.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN The United Methodist Women of First Church will meet on Wednesday, March 15th at 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Room at the North Campus. All are welcome!

PRAYER GUIDE FOR LENT

A great way to pray is to look for God’s presence in your life. More than 400 years ago St. Ignatius Loyola encouraged prayer-filled mindfulness by proposing what has been called the Daily Examen. The Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and to discern His direction for us. A guide for praying in this way was provided in worship last week. Copies are available at the Infor-mation Center.

CHILDREN/YOUTH

fuse* student ministries is pleased to partner with Plum Hollow Youth Ministry Resources and Messiah College to offer the Williamsport Regional Youth Worker and Student Leader Conference. This conference is designed to equip youth workers, youth pastors, and student leaders in their leadership skills. Centered around this year’s theme of CONNECTED, presenters from all over the region will gather at First

Church on April 1st from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm for Keynote addresses by Stephen Gallaher and Sammy Brad-ley, authentic worship, and breakout seminars for both adult youth workers and student leaders. Local seminar presenters include Mitch Floyd (Christ Community Worship Center), and Josh Tobias (First Church). First Church/fuse* students receive the added benefit of paying ONLY $1! Registration cards are available for students and fuse* volunteer staff, as well as others who are interested in the area of leader-ship among young people. Contact Josh Tobias, jtobias@firstchurch.cc, if you have questions.

NORTH CAMPUS NEWS

SEND

SECOND MILE GIVING The Second Mile Giving for March & April is Expectations. Formerly the “Pregnancy Care Center,” Expectations provides a variety of pregnancy and relationship services to expectant mothers and fathers. These services include pregnancy testing program, ultra-sound program, healthy pregnancy classes, labor and birth courses, healthy marriage/relationship program, adoption education, and other programs to assist parents. www.expectationswc.org. Please make checks payable to “First Church” with “Expectations” in the memo line.

MISSION ITEMS NEEDED Local Food Pantry — tea bags (regular flavor), spaghetti sauce & pasta (any shape). Shepherd of the Streets —shaving cream (for both men & women), disposable razors (for both men & women) & feminine hygiene products. Donations for these missions may be left in the baskets at the following locations: Christian Life Center - the Market Street entrance; First Evangelical Center - the Ross Street entrance; North Campus - Lounge.

FAMILY MOVIE

NIGHT AT NORTH

CAMPUS Come join us on Saturday March 25th at 6:00 p.m. at the North Campus for a fun, free evening with an animated comedy about pets as a terrier’s quiet life is turned upside down when his owner brings home a stray, but the rivals join forces when they are lost in Manhattan and go against a gang of abandoned pets bent on revenge. (Licensing laws prohibit mention of the film’s title). Kids

must be accompanied by an adult. Free popcorn, snacks, and drinks, as well as drawings for free movie passes at the Digiplex Cinema Center.

CELEBRATION SUNDAY POTLUCK LUNCH MARCH 19TH

Join us immediately after North Campus worship on March 19th for a potluck lunch in Wesley Hall. Bring a dish to share; everything else is provided. It’s about getting to know each other, making new friends, and building relationships; not to mention the great food!

BAPTISM The First Church family would like to congratulate Erica Lynn Mayer and her children: Quincy Evan Williams, Tevin Jayvon Williams and Jacera Harmony Williams on their baptisms Sunday, March 12, 2017.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT First Church would like to congratulate Megan & Eric Sechrist on the birth of their son, Calvin Arthur Sechrist on Sunday, March 5, 2017.

FIRST NURSERY SCHOOL In memory of Shirley Cranmer by: First Church United Methodist Women

ABIDING MEMORIAL In memory of Fran Confer by: Women of Faith In memory of Sharon Comini’s father by: Women of Faith In memory of Fred Dahlgren by: Donna & Jim Maule William G. Charles Annis S. Gustin Barry Stiger Bob & Sandy Krise Chet & Barb Harbach Patricia Rambo Williamsport Home Larry & Sandy Moyer Genevieve Fisher Ray & Sharon Clemens G.I.F.T. Bible Study

Average Monthly Attendance

Service

February Average for

2017

TOTAL 890

Financial Stewardship February Year-to-Date Current Fund Income

$261,876

February Year-to-Date Needed Income

$203,442

Sermon Outline What’s Wrong? How Sin Enslaves (Part 1)

Jeremiah 2:1-2, 4-8, 20, 23-24

Pastor’s Page #buildup429

First Church, For many weeks now you may have seen or heard of #buildup429. I

even referred to this initiative a number of weeks ago in another pastor’s page. But I also know there continue to be questions about what this is all about. Specifically it is a reference to Ephesians 4:29 which says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” More generally this is an initiative we have begun in order to create a culture where we directly build up and affirm one another.

We live in a world that has a bias towards tearing down rather than building up. As Jesus followers it is our desire to model a different witness to the world. It is our desire to share in gratitude and affirmation to offer life to each other.

One of the ways we can do this is by intentionally, specifically, building one another up by offering words of thanksgiving for other people—either for who they are or for something they have done.

You will see this reference on the pre-service slides each week before worship. Sometimes you will see a reference on the communication card in the weekly newsletter. Other times you will see a reference made on Face-book under this hashtag.

No matter where you see it, please respond by lifting up people, minis-tries, or something that God is doing that you want to give thanks for. And please do not wait to see a request for it before you build someone up. Build someone up anytime by writing a note on the communication card or sending an email to the church office so we can lift them up OR by sending an encour-aging word directly to the person. We want this to be a part of our ongoing culture. Some of you have started to do this on a regular basis and it is mak-ing a powerful difference.

Words are powerful. God used them to begin ALL of creation. So let’s use the words that God gives us to offer life. In a world desperate for such words God offers them in abundance.

First Church, PLEASE know how thankful I am for you. I continually thank God for the opportunity to serve with people who genuinely love Je-sus, are willing to take risks, and seek to be the most rugged disciples they can. #buildup429

In Christ,

Pastor Matt

I. Humanity is made in God’s _______ . (Genesis 1:26)

II. The world teaches sin is something _____ .

III. Sin is God in our lives and the result is an spirit

IV. 3 dynamics in relation to the spiritual nature of sin.

1) Spiritual ___

2) Spiritual ____

3) Spiritual

V. We all are putting ourselves in the ____ of someone or something

spiritually. The question is: “What is it?”

VI. Biology tells us collectively speaking we are unless we find

someone else.

VII. We are as ourselves to reproduce in our heart something of

meaning and value and worth as we are to reproduce physically our own

life.

VIII. Anyone or anything that fills our hearts other than Jesus will only,

ultimately, us.

Life Reflection: To who, or what, is my soul most attracted? Where do I find my worth and value? Right now does my soul feel free or enslaved? Am I selling myself out for something? For what does my soul truly long for? What have I been afraid to admit that my soul depends on besides God? To whose arms does my soul run? What will help us to realize the full extent of how much Christ loves us? That there is no one else in who our soul will find both rest and satisfaction? Prayer: “Lord, help me to find true freedom by enslaving my soul to you alone.”

Scripture Reflection: Jeremiah 2:20 “Long ago you broke off your yoke and tore off your bonds; you said, ‘I will not serve you! Indeed, on every high hill and under every spreading tree you lay down as a prostitute.”

Saturday, March 18 7:00 a.m.-Men’s Group (Wegman’s)

We’re on the Web! www.firstchurch.cc and

FIRST CHURCH 604 Market St.

Williamsport, PA 17701 Phone: 570-322-3572

Weekly Worship Attendance for week ending March 5, 2017

TOTAL — 858

Sunday, March 12 8:00 a.m.-Traditional Worship (MC, FEC-Sanctuary) 9:30 a.m.-Blended Worship (MC, FEC-Sanctuary) 9:30 a.m.-Children’s Sunday School (MC, CLC-1st floor) 9:30 a.m.-d-fuse* student ministries (MC, FEC-fuse*box) 9:30 a.m.-Nursery (up to 3 years) (MC, FEC-204, 205) 9:30 a.m.-Sermon Talk (MC, FEC-201) 11:00 a.m.-Contemporary Worship (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall) 11:00 a.m.-Nursery (up to 3 years) (MC, CLC-124) 11:00 a.m.-Contemporary Worship (NC) 11:00 a.m.-Nursery (up to 3 years) (NC-211) 4:00 p.m.-Open Gym (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall) 4:30 p.m.-Celebrate Recovery (MC, FEC-Sanctuary) 6:00 p.m.-fuse* student ministry (MC, FEC-fuse*box) 6:00 p.m.-Roots of Justice (8 Woodlyn Terrace) 6:30 p.m.-DivorceCare (MC, FEC-104) 6:30 p.m.-Women’s Small Group (MC, FEC-201)

NC = NORTH CAMPUS (1157 Market St.)

MAIN CAMPUS

CLC = Christian Life Center (601 Market St.)

FEC = First Evangelical Center (604 Market St.)

Friday, March 17 6:00 a.m.-Weekday Prayer through Lent (NC-Lobby) 7:30 a.m.-First Nursery School (MC, CLC-Entire Bldg.) 5:00 p.m.-Open Gym (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall)

Thursday, March 16 6:00 a.m.-Men’s Bible Study (Marzo) (NC-Fellowship Room) 6:00 a.m.-Weekday Prayer through Lent (NC-Lobby) 7:30 a.m.-First Nursery School (MC, CLC-Entire Bldg.) 12:00 p.m.-Lenten Communion (MC, FEC-Sanctuary) 3:15 p.m.-Tutoring (NC-Wesley Hall) 6:00 p.m.-Lead Council (NC-Wesley Hall) 6:30 p.m.-Bell Choir (MC, FEC-104) 7:00 p.m. CLC Praise Band (MC, CLC-Stage/Stryker Hall) 7:00 p.m.-NC Praise Band (NC-Sanctuary)

Wednesday, March 15 6:00 a.m.-Weekday Prayer through Lent (NC-Lobby) 6:00 a.m.-Early Morning Men’s Group (MC, FEC-102) 7:30 a.m.-Eagle’s Group (Julie’s Coffee House) 7:30 a.m.-First Nursery School (MC, CLC-Entire Bldg.) 11:00 a.m.-The Flock (MC, FEC-206) FIRST NIGHT SCHEDULE 5:00 p.m. Dinner (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall) 5:15 p.m.- Wed. Night Worship Experience (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall) 5:45 p.m. Children’s Small Groups & Choir (MC, CLC-1st Floor) Get F.I.T. (MC, FEC-Lounge) 6:00 p.m. Bible Study—Romans (MC, FEC-202) d-fuse* (MC, FEC-fuse*box) First Friends Bible Study (MC, FEC-101,Fellowship Hall) Marriage Matters (MC, FEC-102) Men of God (NC-212/213) Moms of Faith Study Group (MC, FEC-105) Prayer Walk around North Campus (NC-Lobby) Sister’s in Christ (MC, FEC-201) Women’s Small Group (Netzley/Vierra) (NC-216) 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir (MC, FEC-104)

Monday, March 13 6:00 a.m.-Weekday Prayer through Lent (NC-Lobby) 7:30 a.m.-First Nursery School (MC, CLC-Entire Bldg.) 1:15 p.m.-Joyful Hearts (535 Wilson St.) 5:00 p.m.-Men of Integrity (1508 Elmira St.) 5:30 p.m.-GIFT (Growing in Faith Together) (NC-Fellowship Room) 6:45 p.m.-Women’s Step Study (NC-214) 7:00 p.m.-Women of Faith (1508 Elmira St.) 7:00 p.m.-A Disciple’s Path (NC-212/213)

Tuesday, March 14 6:00 a.m.-Weekday Prayer through Lent (NC-Lobby) 7:30 a.m.-First Nursery School (MC, CLC-Entire Bldg.) 10:30 a.m.-Daughter’s of Grace (MC, FEC-202) 10:30 a.m.-Truth Seekers (MC, FEC-206) 12:15 p.m.-Jewel’s Women’s Small Group (MC, FEC-206) 2:30 p.m.-Worship Design Team (MC, FEC-206) 3:15 p.m.-Tutoring (NC-Wesley Hall) 6:30 p.m.-Kingdom Seekers (MC, FEC-206) 7:00 p.m.-EFT Monthly Meeting (MC, FEC-Wesley Hall) 7:00 p.m.-First Place for Health (MC, FEC-201) 7:00 p.m.-Volleyball/Bible Study (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall)

CYCLE OF PRAYER: March 12 –18: Kevin & Erin Mowrey; Gary & Cherie Moyer; Tom & Tracey Mulcahy; Chris, Mariah Mumford; Mary Ann Munro; Richard & Sandy Murray; Craig & Lorrie Netzley; Douglas, Ashley, Trey, Parker, Ryleigh & Presleigh Nicholas; Kevin, Mari, Erin & Katelyn Niedzwiecki; Jami, Betsy, Wyatt & Hunter Nolan; Frank, Cindy & Alexander Norris; Eric, Stephanie, Sophie, Jackson & Carson Orndorff; Lou & Sue Palazzo; Bryan, Belinda, Zachery & Kortnei Parsons; Jay & Peggy Pauling; Amy Peck; Bill & Cindy Peck; Christie Peck; Larue & Ruth Pepperman; Linda Peterman; Mike Petro; Fran Pfaff; Brittany, D.W. & Noah Pitt; Doug & Debbie Pitt; Lamar, Sherry, Miranda, Julia & Dylan Ploppert; Ken Poorman; Edwin, Maria & Aizaer Portalatin; JoJo & Sue Potts; Tim, Amy, Molly & Tyler Pregent; Jim, Sarah & Issac Prusakiewicz; Bill & Rita Pysher; Darren Pysher.